CBP Houston Reminds Trade of Foreign Vessel Documents Procedures

The master of any foreign vessel is required to deliver the vessel's documents to the CBP port on or before entry of the vessel, CBP's Houston field office said in a March 28 information notice reminding filers of regulations on foreign vessel documents. "If a vessel clearance is not presented concurrent to vessel entrance, the vessel registry will be retained by the servicing CBP office or may be delivered to the consul of the national to which the vessel belongs until CBP grants vessel clearance," it said. "in order to facilitate the clearance process, the Area Port suggests that vessel masters file their entry and clearance paperwork with the same CBP office." This will allow for original documents to be returned sooner, said CBP.